Check-ups during pregnancy

For every woman planning pregnancy or already pregnant it is imperative to undergo a regular ophthalmologic examination. It is most important for women suffering from chronic diseases of the heart and blood vessels, other organs and systems, and ones having eye pathologies and a violation of refraction.
Don't underestimate the specialist, because an ophthalmologist has the last word in deciding on future mode of delivery. So, the recommendation for restriction of self-delivery can occur when having some changes of the retina, often found in people with myopia (nearsightedness). Much less often such changes occur in people with hypermetropia (farsightedness) and emmetropes (people with normal vision).
It is considered that women with high myopia (6 diopters or more), must give birth by caesarean section. Actually, this statement is true only in some cases. The main criterion in the choice of delivery method is the state of ocular fundus of a woman, and, increasingly, more important are dystrophic changes in the retina, including the most dangerous (breaks and thinning) than the existing degree of myopia. So in case of self-delivery, sometimes develops a serious complication - retinal detachment.

Upon detection of breaks or thinning of the retina, women planning pregnancy are advised to perform laser coagulation of the retina. Such a procedure is possible not only before but also during pregnancy, at term of 12 -32 weeks, as the local impact of laser does not affect the fetus. The purpose of this treatment is strengthening of the retina and preventing retinal detachment in childbirth, giving a woman the ability to give birth naturally.

Laser treatment is performed under local anesthesia, pre-expanding the pupil with drops. Such preventive laser coagulation is better to carry out before a planned pregnancy. A couple of weeks after the procedure, the specialist will examine a woman and give his recommendations on the planned mode of delivery.
Women during pregnancy, regardless of visual acuity, must undergo ophthalmic examination. To preserve eye health, you should visit an ophthalmologist ta least twice (on the first and last months of the term). Also in a few months an examination after giving birth is required. Examination period is assigned depending on the presence or extent of dystrophy. The terms of dynamic supervision is also established by a doctor after examination.

Today, an increasing number of women correct the refraction by laser vision correction (LASIK, etc.). It is worth remembering that only after a year of such intervention planning pregnancy is recommended. Pregnant women after refractive operations are also recommended to double visit the ophthalmologist (at early and late gestation), as refractive surgery does not affect the condition of the fundus.

Important! If you are planning a pregnancy or are pregnant now, you need to consult an ophthalmologist with a mandatory inspection of the ocular fundus. It is worth knowing that timely performed simple procedure of laser strengthening of the retina will save you from the need of much more difficult caesarean sections in the future.

Examination of pregnant women in Moscow Eye Clinic

Contacting Moscow Eye Clinic, future mothers will be able to pass all the necessary researches on the best ophthalmic equipment and get a comprehensive consultation of highly qualified specialists.

According to the testimony, it is possible to treat the retina with laser or perform laser vision correction, prior to a planned conception. In addition, if desired, the patient can choose a doctor for further follow-up.

The cost of the initial examination (an integrated service according to medical standards - visual acuity, biomicroscopy, refractometry, pneumatonometry, computer perimetry, ophthalmoscopy with a narrow pupil) is 3 500 rubles.

Prices for other medical services in Moscow Eye Clinic can be found here.

You can ask our experts any questions you have by phone in Moscow: 8 (800) 777-38 81 and (499) 322-36-36 (daily from 9:00am to 9:00pm) or online by using appropriate form on the website.